Reformed and Evangelical across Four Centuries: The Presbyterian Story in America

by Nathan Feldmeth, S. Donald Fortson III, Garth M. Rosell

Choice  Outstanding Academic Title (2022)

A definitive history of evangelical Presbyterianism in America   Reformed and Evangelical across Four Centuries  tells the story of the Presbyterian church in the United States, beginning with its British foundations and extending to its present-day expression in multiple American Presbyterian denominations. This account emphasizes the role of the evangelical movement in shaping various Presbyterian bodies in America, especially in the twentieth century amid increasing departures from traditional Calvinism, historic orthodoxy, and a focus on biblical authority. Particular attention is also given to crucial elements of diversity in the Presbyterian story, with increasing numbers of African American, Latino/a, and Korean American Presbyterians—among others—in the twenty-first century. Overall, this book will be a bountiful resource to anyone curious about what it means to be Presbyterian in the multidimensional American context, as well as to anyone looking to understand this piece of the larger history of Christianity in the United States.

Genres: History, Theology, Church History, Christianity

360 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Mitchell Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a comprehensive work. I am grateful to my fellow church member, former president of Covenant Seminary, and brother in Christ William Barker for the recommendation. This book was immensely helpful in understanding a broader Reformed and Evangelical perspective on Presbyterianism in America. This was written by 4 different authors representing 4 presbyterian denominations, PCA, PCUSA, ECO, EPC. I would have appreciated hearing from the OPC perspective. I am saddened by the amount of denominational splitting that has occurred over the years for various reasons I.e cultural, theological, and personal. This book is a must-read for those in Reformed communities in the U.S. and I think will become a standard seminary text.

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a solid, relatively accessible overview of Presbyterianism's complicated history in America (beginning with its origins in the UK). The fact that the four authors represent four different Presbyterian denominations means the book avoids certain ideological skewings (unlike some other things I've read). However, I wonder if this dulled the work's teeth at the same time. The epilogue (spoiler alert?) names a few areas where Presbyterians in America need to step up and keep the charge, but these criticisms were hardly anticipated by anything in the preceding chapters.

While the authors don't treat many topics in this history exhaustively, the breadth more than makes up for the fact. The brevity is both a blessing and a curse. There were places I would have liked more detail, but it's hard to say the fact that it covers 400 years in 329 pages isn't a major strength.

I'm not sure that I'm totally convinced by the authors' argument that Presbyterians are historically evangelicals (and that they even anticipated the Evangelical movement). There's certainly broad overlap in the categories they consider (commitment to Scripture, missionary and revivalist impulse, etc.). Still, I think the differences make the comparison less straightforward. There are Evangelical distinctives that don't fit Presbyterians, and many Presbyterian distinctives that don't fit Evangelicalism.

All in all, a great read. I'll probably revisit it in the future.

[Jim Gulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a sweeping history of Presbyterian denominations in the United States from colonial America to the present. The history is one of conflict and schism as factions within the church struggled to find common ground on theological and cultural issues. The authors conclude with a summary of the elements that have defined American Presbyterianism: a focus on Biblical authority, support for personal spiritual renewal, missionary zeal, theological seriousness (the book deals heavily with the development of seminaries), and cultural transformation.

[Matt Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding and comprehensive overview of Presbyterianism in America. Such an interesting read!

[David Myhren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine overview and impressive in its scope.

[Matthew Garringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall a highly readable and informing history on (now many streams of) the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. This book is perfect for anyone seeking to learn more about the roots of Presbyterianism to its current state.

The authors did an excellent job recounting the foundations of the Presbyterian church as it stemmed from the reformation in Scotland and England. I appreciated how easily I could follow the narrative even though I am not well versed in British history.

The chapters on the early U.S. Presbyterian church to the world wars were superb. What makes this volume unique is its consideration of not just the mainline Presbyterian church. Considerable attention is given to the Covenanter and Seceder branches.

The latter chapters consist of the formation of the Presbyterian denominations we see today as well as Presbyterian involvement in the neo-evangelical movement. My main issue with the section (and the book) is the rose-tinted glasses used to look at the formation of the PCA (the denomination I myself am a member of). While issues of the authority of scripture and ethical issues concerning sexuality and abortion were certainly at the forefront, as the authors say, the spectre of racism was still prevalent. The church that the first General Assembly of the PCA was held in had a known segregation academy.

Suffice it to say, this is still an excellent book. One that I would recommend to anyone.

[Dale Hagwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book! I’ve had it in my shelf a few years, and used it as a brief work on American Presbyterianism while I refresh for my ordination exams!

It’s an interesting read with four authors representing very different representations of American Presbyterian in denominations like the PCA, EPC, ECO, and the PCUSA. It offers a rich perspective that seeks to show Presbyterians have always held a high view of Scripture, are theologically serious, and evangelically minded. Obviously, different issues (I.e., women’s ordination) separate denominations like those mentioned above. Yet, their unifying commitments remain.

The authors stress these commitments throughout the book from the days of the Reformation in Geneva and Scotland, to the American colonies and early US, to the present day!

A very valuable and accessible work for anyone interested in American Presbyterianism! If I were a professor and wanted a single volume that covers Presbyterian history from Scotland to the present in America, and takes in more recent 21st Century developments in that American context, this is the book I’d use!

[SarahO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fascinating read, I had a hard time putting it down! I've been in three Presbyterian denominations in my life (OPC, PCA, ARP) so reading their history was interesting. I must admit the last couple chapters dragged a bit, mostly because there was a lot more stats and a huge alphabet soup of denominations: splitting, merging, organizing, etc. I was a little disappointed they didn't cover women more but I guess I should be use to that by now. However, I am glad they gave a shout out to Lottie Moon!
Sometimes the history felt a little too polished (everything very orderly like Presbyterians like it.lol) but other that that I've really enjoyed going through this history and would highly recommend.

This is the second Protestant denomination history that I've read so far this year. Now on to the next!

[Caleb Rolling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good history of Presbyterianism. Various threads of the tradition are clearly traced throughout the book, allowing one to see how the modern Presbyterian landscape in the US has arrived at its current situation and how the various threads have crossed or been interwoven. An engaging read, too.

It would have been nice to see more space devoted to the state of modern denominations in the 21st century (the brushstrokes broaden towards the end). Specifically, is there a current evangelical presence in the mainline? Clearly evangelicalism thrives in the recent offshoot denominations (PCA, EPC, ECO)—the authors explicitly show this is the case—but they don’t touch the subject of evangelicalism in the PC(USA) today.

An great book. Highly recommended to Presbyterians and non-Presbyterians alike. An important read to understand the history of evangelicals in the US.

[Daniel Sell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed reading this book. My only criticism would be that at times the authors seem to lose focus and wander from the Presbyterian story. It saddens me to see not only splintering within Protestantism (Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, etc.) but also splintering within Presbyterianism (PCUSA, PCA, EPC, OPC, ECO, etc.). I wish that there had been some more content on PCA, EPC, and OPC denominations. (My wife and I were members of an EPC church for ten years before moving south. After we moved, the church left EPC for PCA.)

[Mark Seeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this history of Presbyterians in America. The first few chapters are slow going as they set the historical and theological context in England and Scotland prior to the migration to the new land. But that background sets you up to better understand the American experiment. I wish the authors, and there are four of them, would have dealt in more detail some of the unintended consequences of the various revivals.

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very mixed views on this book as it's early history was very well done and informative, and then it's later history was very poorly done. There are scenarios in which I would recommend this book, and there are other scenarios in which I would point people in different directions. I would say this is simply a solid, middle of the road book.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of evangelicalism among Presbyterians

I found this book to explain this history in an easy to read, fast moving format. It covers the breadth of the evangelical movements well. I recommend it to all Presbyterian office holders.

[Thayer Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very even-handed telling of the various strains of Presbyterianism in America. Loaded with references to original sources. Helpful 'genealogy' and recent census in the appendix.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent summation of several hundred years of history! So much that I did not know or understand previously is now so clear. Did get a little dry in some chapters but overall a great read

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful book. One criticism would be its lack of emphasis on the southern Presbyterians. Otherwise this is a recommended book that covers British backgrounds to modern day Presbyterianism.

[Alex McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I consider Presbyterian history, I consider English history. This was a refreshing look at Presbyterian history as it unfolded in the United States of America.